APVMA Gazette No. 1, 10 January 2017

Here are FSANZ’s media issues for the week:

Labelling

More than one in three South Australian shoppers have voted country-of-origin labelling ahead of nutrition details as the most important information on food labels in a CSIRO survey of 1700 people. Read about the study.

Fortified foods and supplements designed for infants could have significantly less—or more—actual vitamin D than the amounts labelled, even though most products still do fall within acceptable EU ranges, Dutch researchers suggest. Read more.

A new template for nutrition labels was released by the US food regulator on Friday which included a new line for ‘added sugar’ to help consumers distinguish between naturally occurring sugars like lactose in milk, versus the sugars manufacturers add to boost flavour. Read more.

A US health advocacy group has released its list of the 10 worst food and supplements scams of 2016—which includes a famous hazelnut spread and a ‘super grain’ granola with more sugar than anything else. Read more.

Food safety

A South Australian beach has banned the fishing of molluscs after E coli bacteria was detected at levels considered unsafe for human consumption, with the outbreak attributed to heavy rainfall washing organic matter into waterways. Read more.

Boosting dietary intake of zinc—even by as little as 4 milligrams per day—can have a positive impact on cellular health and help the human body fight off infections, American researchers are saying. Read more.

Did you make a new year’s resolution to clean up your diet? Psychology plays a big part in healthy eating, which is why the CSIRO has developed a new ‘diet type’ questionnaire to help people stick to their diet and nutrition plans. Read more.

Going vegan can greatly reduce your risk of developing several diseases and conditions, according to the updated position paper by the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Read more.

GMO

Do you know the difference between gene-edited and genetically modified? This article looks at a new generation of crops that undergo a special style of engineering which exempts them from having to be declared as modified on labels. Read more.

The first genetically modified apples to be sold in the US will debut in a small number of stores in February and March. The fruit has been adapted so it doesn’t brown when bitten or sliced. Read the article.

Quirky

A popular Swiss wholesale retailer will soon start selling ‘burgers’ and ‘meatballs’ made primarily of mealworm larvae as an environmentally friendly alternative to beef and other more common sources of meat. Read more.

An annual lamb advertising campaign that has gained a cult following over the years has today launched its latest clip for Australia Day, pushing lamb as “the most multicultural meat”. Watch the ad.